Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics
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semascot.bsky.social
Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics
@semascot.bsky.social
1.5K followers 730 following 640 posts
We strive to improve understanding of being autistic from the various communities of the Global Majority.

www.sema.scot
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Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics @semascot.bsky.social · Apr 14
Thank you to everyone who has walked with us, shared their stories, trusted us, challenged us, and believed that being radically inclusive isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Please vote for us here: www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/awards-2025/...

#NDA25
Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA)
I have been voted for an Award at The National Diversity Awards 2025 in association with @itvnews. Please vote for me #NDA25 #Nominate #VotingNowOpen
www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk
semascot.bsky.social
This week is Inter Faith Week: a chance to recognise, respect and build connection across belief systems.

For Autistic people from racialised faith communities, meaningful inter-faith inclusion means more than tolerance.

#Interfaithweek
Social media graphic for SEMA, Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics, marking Interfaith Week from 9 to 16 November. The background shows a diverse group of people with raised hands in a worship or community setting. The text reads: 'We do not need to make Autistic people fit faith spaces. We need to reshape faith spaces so Autistic people feel safe in them.'
November 13, 2025 at 3:18 PM
semascot.bsky.social
It's #ScottishCareersWeek - theme is Shape the Future

For Autistic individuals from racialised and faith-diverse communities, career journeys often involve navigating additional barriers – from workplace culture and recruitment practices to accessibility, faith accommodation & spoken/unspoken bias
A graphic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) for Career Week Scotland, taking place from 10th to 14th November 2025. The image shows small figurines of people standing on wooden blocks representing career steps. The centre features the “Scottish Careers Week: Shape the Future” logo in bright colours. Below, a message reads: “Career inclusion is not about helping Autistic people adapt to workplaces. It is about reshaping workplaces so Autistic people are respected and understood.” The overall tone is professional and inclusive.
November 12, 2025 at 1:07 PM
semascot.bsky.social
The Impact of Colonialism on Autistic People
Tuesday 25 November, 7-9PM.

I’ll be speaking in a webinar by Viv Dawes Autistic Advocate and Autistic Burnout Network alongside Claire Betson and Viv Dawes.

#AutisticInclusion
#RacialisedAutisticVoices
#ColonialismAndDisability
#AutisticBurnoutNetwork
Promotional poster for an online event titled “The Impact of Colonialism on Autistic People.” At the top are three organisation logos: SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics), Neuro By Nature Therapy, and Autistic Burnout Network. Below the title, the event details read: “Tues Nov 25th 2025, 7–9PM, £10 per person.” Three speaker headshots are displayed in a row. Under each photo, their names and affiliations are written: “Sofia Farzana – SEMA” “Claire Betson – Neuro By Nature” “Viv Dawes – Autistic Burnout Network.” At the bottom, a note reads: “A percentage of ticket sales will be donated to charities working in Gaza. Recordings will be available for all ticket holders after the event.” The background is a soft beige gradient.
November 10, 2025 at 12:24 PM
semascot.bsky.social
Guru Nanak Jayanti, marks the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. It is one of the most sacred festivals for Sikhs and is celebrated with deep devotion, love, and unity by followers of this faith across India and globally.
An illustrated greeting image from SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) celebrating Guru Nanak Jayanti. The SEMA logo is at the top. Below it is an illustration of Guru Nanak seated cross-legged with a peaceful expression, one hand raised in blessing. Behind him is a warm golden halo and decorative script. The text reads: “Happy Guru Nanak Jayanti. May you be inspired to walk on the path of kindness, equality, and love.”
November 5, 2025 at 1:42 PM
semascot.bsky.social
Excited to share that I will be speaking on Day 1 of the Faith on the Margins: Engaging with Nonspeaking and Black Autistic Christians conference, hosted by the Aberdeen Institute of Autism and Spirituality.
A promotional poster for SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics). The title reads: “Faith on the Margins: Engaging with Nonspeaking and Black Autistic Christians, 5th–7th Nov.” Below is information for Panel 1, titled “Autism in Islam and Buddhism.” The listed speakers are three individuals (names shown on the poster). The event time reads: “Day 1: 5th November, 13:30–14:30.” At the bottom is the University of Aberdeen logo. The background is a soft gradient of beige tones with the SEMA logo at the top.
November 4, 2025 at 1:07 PM
semascot.bsky.social
I can’t count the number of times that I’ve heard “I mean, Black History Month isn’t fair is it?

There’s no White History Month”, often from well-meaning friends and colleagues.

#BlackHistoryMonth
#AutismInBlack
#BlackandAutistic
#BHM #BlackLivesMatter
#Neurodiversity
#InclusionMatters
#SEMA
A graphic for Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) titled “Reflections on Black History Month: Why Black History Month should not exist (although I’m glad it does).” The SEMA logo appears at the top. Below the title is an illustrated image with bold red, green, yellow, and black colours. In the centre is a round badge that reads “Black History Month,” with two brown hands raised upward beneath it.
October 31, 2025 at 12:38 PM
semascot.bsky.social
Abuse is not blind to difference. For Autistic, ADHD, and other neurodivergent women, the risks are often higher, and the systems meant to protect them frequently fail to understand their needs.

#DomesticAbuseAwareness
#Neurodiversity
#AutisticWomen
#Intersectionality
#SEMA
A dark-toned awareness poster for Domestic Abuse Awareness Month, October 2025, by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The background features a close-up of a Black woman’s face, partially in shadow, conveying strength and vulnerability. At the top is SEMA’s logo with the text “Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics.” Below, bold white text reads: “DOMESTIC ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH — October 2025.” In the center is a large female gender symbol, and at the bottom, the message: “AWARENESS IS NOT ENOUGH. INCLUSION SAVES LIVES.”
October 23, 2025 at 2:11 PM
semascot.bsky.social
Happy Diwali from SEMA

As homes light up across the world for Diwali, we celebrate the spirit of brightness, renewal, and community.

For many, Diwali is more than a festival of lights. It is a reminder that light grows stronger when shared through understanding, inclusion, and kindness.
A festive Diwali greeting graphic from Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The SEMA logo appears at the top. Below it, the text reads “Happy Diwali.” The message says, “May the divine light of Diwali dispel all darkness from your life and fill it with peace and prosperity.” The design features hanging decorative lamps and bells in red and gold. At the bottom, three brightly lit traditional oil lamps (diyas) sit on a colorful rangoli pattern.
October 20, 2025 at 10:22 AM
semascot.bsky.social
Behind these numbers are lives and stories, and too often, racialised voices are the ones missing.

October is ADHD Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is The Many Faces of ADHD.
Graphic for ADHD Awareness Month, October 2025, created by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). It features a gold and brown gradient background with the SEMA logo at the top and an orange awareness ribbon on the left. The text reads: “In the UK, ADHD affects around 3–4% of adults and about 5% of children according to NHS England and NICE estimates. Yet, many remain undiagnosed. A study of 9 million GP records found only 0.32% had a formal diagnosis, suggesting that as few as 1 in 9 people with ADHD get recognised. In England alone, an estimated 2,498,000 people are thought to have ADHD (including undiagnosed cases), and more than 549,000 people may be waiting for assessments.”
October 17, 2025 at 11:18 AM
semascot.bsky.social
Many people know dyslexia. Many know ADHD. But what happens when the two intersect, or when an Autistic person also has ADHD? The impact is profound, especially in systems built around singular-focus assessments.
Infographic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) for Dyslexia Awareness Week, October 2025. It highlights the overlap between Autism, ADHD, and Dyslexia using a three-circle Venn diagram. The Autism and ADHD circles intersect with the text: “Separate assessments. Separate waits. Same person.” A caption above reads: “Up to 80% of Autistic people also have ADHD.” Another note says: “25–40% of people with ADHD also have dyslexia.” A red dyslexia awareness ribbon appears on the right side.
October 13, 2025 at 10:14 AM
semascot.bsky.social
This year’s theme for International Day of the Girl Child is “The girl I am, the change I lead”, it honours girls on the frontlines of crisis, those shaping their futures despite systemic inequality. Yet the global picture shows how far there is still to go.

#DayoftheGirl #GenerationEquality
A graphic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) for International Day of the Girl Child, dated 11 October 2025. The background shows young girls of colour playing together on a playground. The text reads: “The girl I am is not defined by barriers but by how I move through them.”
October 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
semascot.bsky.social
This year’s theme, “Mental health in humanitarian emergencies”, reminds us that mental health support is not a luxury. It is a necessity that must reach everyone, especially those already living at the margins of care.

#MentalHealthMatters
#SEMA
Poster for World Mental Health Day 2025 by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The design features the SEMA logo at the top, followed by the text ‘World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2025’. Below, there is an illustration of a blue human silhouette with an open doorway in the head, from which colourful plants and leaves emerge, symbolising growth and mental wellbeing. A green awareness ribbon appears on the lower right, with soft floral accents and pastel clouds in the background.
October 10, 2025 at 6:29 AM
semascot.bsky.social
We are delighted to share that our original artwork from the "Our Lived Experiences" project, funded by the Autistic Adult Support Fund, is on display this month around the Forth Valley.

#BlackHistoryMonth #BlackWhileAutistic #OurStories #LivedExperience #ForthValley
Poster for “Travelling Creations”, a mobile art exhibition celebrating Black History Month 2025 across Forth Valley. The poster has a black background with three photos: one of an artwork displayed in a library, one showing three people standing behind framed artworks, and one of a person standing between two stone columns. Exhibition dates and locations are listed: FVRH, Falkirk: 6th–10th October Bellfield Centre, Stirling: 13th–17th October Spiers Centre, Alloa: 20th–24th October Text below reads: “A vibrant, mobile art exhibition celebrating Black History Month 2025, that will travel across Forth Valley throughout October. ‘Standing firm in power & pride.’” At the bottom are logos for Artlink Central and Black History Month Forth Valley, along with a QR code.
October 6, 2025 at 8:32 AM
semascot.bsky.social
On the 24th, I had the opportunity to present the findings of a survey on autism assessment experiences—a vital research piece that brought together Scottish Autism, ARGH, AMASE, and SEMA.

Although the research was conducted in 2023, the situation has actually declined for Autistics in Scotland.
A collage showing highlights from the SPICe Committee morning briefing on “Experiences of Autism Assessment and Diagnosis in Scotland.” The top section features the Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) logo and event title. Below, there are photos of Sofia Farzana from SEMA and Leo from AMASE smiling together, Sofia’s nameplate on the conference table, and slides displaying the joint research by SEMA, ARGH, AMASE, and Scottish Autism. The final image shows Sofia presenting at the podium alongside other speakers in a parliamentary setting.
October 4, 2025 at 10:45 AM
semascot.bsky.social
2 October marks the International Day of Non-Violence, a reminder that peace is not only the absence of conflict but the presence of dignity, justice, and respect.

Violence is not always physical. It shows up as systemic exclusion, cultural stigma, and barriers to access.
Graphic for International Day of Non-Violence, 2nd October 2025, created by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The image features a quote by Cesar Chavez: 'Nonviolence is not inaction. It is not discussion. It is not for the timid or weak... Nonviolence is hard work. It is the willingness to sacrifice. It is the patience to win.' The SEMA logo is displayed at the top.
October 2, 2025 at 8:34 AM
semascot.bsky.social
30 September marks #InternationalTranslationDay, a celebration of the bridges language creates. At Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA), translation is more than words. It is about ensuring autistic people from all communities can access respect, dignity, and understanding.
Promotional graphic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) for International Translation Day. The text reads: ‘INTERNATIONAL TRANSLATION DAY – Sharing autism stories worldwide.’ The SEMA logo is at the top. The centre features a poster titled ‘Autism Myth Busting’ with an illustration of a person surrounded by colourful flowing shapes. Around it are translated materials in multiple languages, including Urdu, Arabic, Gaelic, Polish, and Punjabi. The materials promote autism myth-busting, rights, support for autistic loved ones, and anti-racism. Logos for SEMA, BEMIS Scotland, and the Scottish Government are included.
September 30, 2025 at 9:48 AM
semascot.bsky.social
“They’ll be fine.”
But what if they’re not?

Some of the most misunderstood experiences for Autistic people, especially racialised Autistics, are rejection sensitivity, elopement, and suicidality.

These are often dismissed or mislabelled as misbehaviour, defiance, or attention-seeking.
Graphic for World Suicide Prevention Month by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The top features the SEMA logo. Below, bold text reads 'WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.' In the center is a social media post by Pat Radical Therapist that says: 'Suicide Awareness that ignores poverty, prisons, racism, ableism, transphobia & systemic oppression isn’t complete awareness. People don’t just die ONLY because of mental illness. They die because systems make life unbearable.' The post shows 6.4k likes, 59 comments, and 1.3k shares. At the bottom, there is the National Suicide Prevention Month logo with a teal and purple ribbon.
September 14, 2025 at 2:43 PM
semascot.bsky.social
As Black and Brown people, we are not afforded the same empathy when we feel overwhelmed - our emotions are seen as dramatisation or aggression.

Autistics of all races say when they feel any strong emotion - fear, love, excitement, anxiety, injustice, joy - that they react with tears.
Graphic with the SEMA (Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics) logo at the top. Below, bold black text reads: 'They told us being emotional meant weakness. But what if emotional just means human?' Followed by lines: 'Tears are not failure. Anger is not disobedience. Overwhelm is not immaturity. It’s not that we feel too much. It’s that the world allows too little. Reclaim your emotions. Honour your feelings. Being emotional is not the problem. The systems that punish it are.' At the bottom, bold text states: 'Ignoring our emotions is not maturity, its capitalism and part of colonialism.' Background shows a partially visible person with curly hair wearing a pink top.
September 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Reposted by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics
rebeccastapleton.bsky.social
Autistic individuals aged 55 and over, in the UK, are invited to participate in a research project. Help us understand what it’s like to live in a world not designed for older autistic adults.
@blackautistics.bsky.social @semascot.bsky.social @autisticsociety.bsky.social #autism #autismresearch
September 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
semascot.bsky.social
At the weekend, I was speaking to a parent of a young PDA teen who is at wit's end with the struggles they face at home.

It didn't help when the primary school didn't pick up the child's needs.

It didn't help when others said they are 'weak parents' and give in to the child's demands. 🧵👇
Graphic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA). The heading reads 'The Need for Real Support.' Subtext says, 'Have you considered just how dysregulated our nervous systems are right now?' Below is an abstract painting of a person with their head replaced by a chaotic cluster of boxes connected by strings, symbolising overwhelm and dysregulation. The text underneath reads, 'White Autistic advocates need to acknowledge their privilege.'
September 10, 2025 at 11:46 AM
semascot.bsky.social
On Monday we had the opportunity, with @auroraconsulting.bsky.social, to deliver training to officers of different rank from the Greater Glasgow Division. We did have folks travelling in from other areas too. Huge thanks to Greater Glasgow Division, for hosting us 🧵👇
September 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
semascot.bsky.social
The current hostile anti-immigration climate that has affected the UK is really causing alarm for us.

Firstly, the beliefs that perpetrate the hate and falsely perceived threat of 'foreigners' and baseless!

#hopenothate #notoracism #migration #saltire #welcome #racialisedautistics #safespaces
Graphic by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics (SEMA) with their logo at the top and birds flying in the background. The main heading reads: “Scotland needs migrants, so let’s support them right.” Below, the text explains that Scotland is increasingly dependent on migrants because birth rates are falling, the population is ageing, and the NHS relies on skilled migrant professionals. It notes that migrants leave behind their families and communities to serve Scotland. A Scottish flag is included. The closing statement reads: “Let’s build culturally safe spaces, not just services. It’s time to honour, not just hire.
September 8, 2025 at 9:06 AM
semascot.bsky.social
I had the opportunity to deliver training to the SQA ACE & Disability Network members last week.

The topic was accommodating racialised autistics in their full identities, experiences and characteristics which meant understanding intersectional experiences.
Title reads ‘Accommodating Racialised Autistic Learners.’ Main text says: ‘Shifts in perspectives can have monumental impact on individuals. We need a change in systems to make schooling and work environments truly inclusive. Appreciate culture & ethnicity and disability networks.’ Background features the repeated phrase ‘Accommodating Racialised Autistic Learners.
September 2, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Reposted by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics
kellybirtwell.bsky.social
📢 Our survey for UK autistic adults will be open until 9am Monday 1st September, so there's still time to take part. ⬇️ Thanks to everyone who has taken part already 🙏
kellybirtwell.bsky.social Dr Kelly Birtwell @kellybirtwell.bsky.social · May 27
Love dancing? Hate dancing? If you're #autistic, age 18+, in the UK, please take part in our survey (designed with autistic project advisors). We want to hear about why people don't dance, dancing at home (kitchen disco anyone?), socially, or at dance classes. For more info: tinyurl.com/Aut-dance
A flyer showing the University of Manchester logo, and a photograph of a man moving his arms, dancing. The text reads as follows: Research opportunity! The Ada study Access to Dance for Autistic adults. Researchers at The University of Manchester seek autistic volunteers for an online survey about dance. Are you: 1. Autistic (diagnosed or self identifying)? 2. Aged 18 or over? 3. Living in the UK? We are exploring autistic people’s experience of dancing - or choosing not to dance. Dance can mean anything from having a boogie in the kitchen, dancing in clubs and other social settings, to attending a dance class. The online survey takes about 30-60 minutes depending on how much you’d like to share. It includes questions about your background (e.g. age and gender) and your experiences of dancing and watching dance, or choosing not to dance. Some members of the research team are neurodivergent and the survey was developed with autistic project advisors. To find out more and take part visit: https://tinyurl.com/Aut-dance Or contact: Claire.Planner@manchester.ac.ukResearch This project has been reviewed and approved by the University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee. Ref.: 2025-22235-41162
August 26, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Reposted by Scottish Ethnic Minority Autistics
amase.org.uk
In our recent research on Autistic experiences of assessment in Scotland, with @arghscotland.bsky.social, @semascot.bsky.social and @scottishautism.bsky.social, Edinburgh stood out as having the best experiences, thanks to Number 6.

We have just learned that they have lost funding for this service.
New Report Highlights Urgent Need for Change in Autism Assessment Services Across Scotland – ARGH
arghighland.co.uk
August 28, 2025 at 7:03 AM